Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. —Romans 8:34

"Who is he who condemns?" Answering his own question, Paul said, "It isn't Jesus Christ; He died for you. In fact, He is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for you." Jesus is doing the opposite of condemning you—He is interceding for you!

When Jesus spoke with Nicodemus, He said, "God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned" (John 3:17-18). Romans 8:1 says it again: "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."

Jesus doesn't condemn you—He's interceding for you.

Satan loves to condemn. Every time you stumble, every time you fall, he is there to point an accusing finger at you. He wants to focus your thoughts on your own weaknesses and failures rather than on God's strength. In contrast, the Holy Spirit convicts us. He gently says, "Now, that wasn't right." But that isn't condemning—that is convicting. He wants us to put our thoughts on Jesus, who is ready to hear our confession and wash us of our sin.

God is for you. Jesus is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for you. And the Holy Spirit is dwelling in you to give power to help you overcome your weaknesses. With this divine Trinity on your team, how can you possibly lose?

Father, as we face the temptations and the pressures of the world, may we discover the power and strength of Your Holy Spirit to be sufficient for us. In Jesus' name, amen.